No complaints from
me about the repertoire essayed by the
Meadows forces – both wind and symphonic.
The mix is potent – Weill’s established
classic, a work that has long intrigued
frustrated would-be listeners, namely
the short-lived Kurka’s tribute to the
Good Soldier, and a relatively new,
unfortunately here undated [1994-LM],
work by Simon Sargon. The performances
are enthusiastic and accomplished and
the recording attractive.

Sargon was born in
1938 and his Divertimento is a three-movement
work of diverting generosity. The opening
movement (Brightly – laid back is
the indication and I’m sure Percy Grainger
would have approved of the American
demotic) is indeed bright and cocksure,
with ebullience and a freshness that
is immediately appealing. Sargon knows
all about rhythmic insouciance and gives
the first trumpeter a forceful and effective
part to play. In the second movement
one can sense the ghostly impression
of Ravel’s Concerto in G but Sargon
does grow active in the middle section,
even if one can’t help shake off the
ruminative patina of the influence,
if influence it be. Pianist David Karp
copes well with the romantic tracery
of the finale (marked Driving)
and Sargon gives the wind some effective
lines as well – it all ends well and
excitingly and I enjoyed the work.

Don’t expect to spend
much time ruminating on Sargon because
there’s a sliver of a four second gap
before Weill’s Threepenny Music is unleashed.
The balance is good – not always an
easy matter in this work – and Polly’s
Song goes especially well and tenderly.
The pacing is fine and the performance
musicianly and persuasive. Kurka’s suite
from The Good Soldier Schweik is
an invigorating and exciting one. There
are some almost defiantly Stravinskian
touches in the Overture and mordant
sarcasm in the echt Schweikian March.
The War Dance is jaunty and sardonic
and the Pastorale has some jazzy wind
writingwell suited to the accomplished
players of this ensemble and their perceptive
conductor Jack Delaney. The brass blowsiness
of the Finale well suits this outfit
whose determined tattoos and defiant
ending rounds off a really attractive
disc.

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